Netflix viewers are abuzz as the platform welcomes The Pod Generation, a sci-fi flick that echoes the chilling vibe of a Black Mirror episode. Launched in 2023, the movie has landed on Netflix today (March 26). In this futuristic dystopian narrative, technology has reached new heights, allowing couples to bear children via synthetic, egg-shaped wombs—pods.
These pod pregnancies are sold as a convenient solution for women, lifting the pregnancy burden and proving particularly advantageous for their careers. The film follows the life of ambitious Rachel and her green-fingered partner Alvy, who are eager to start a family but divided over the concept of artificial childbearing.
Emilia Clarke of Game of Thrones fame steps into the shoes of Rachel, embracing the concept of an external pregnancy with open arms.
On the other hand, Chiwetel Ejiofor, known for his role in Doctor Strange, takes on the character of Alvy, who has a penchant for natural childbirth methods.
With a desire to form a family burning strong, Alvy consents to welcome their offspring through a man-made womb. Yet, as the due date of their baby looms, tensions between the two escalate, reports Surrey Live.
While woven with romance, the story boldly grapples with profound themes such as female reproductive autonomy and the ominous implications of hi-tech advancements.
This thematic depth has led swathes of viewers to liken The Pod Generation to the critically-acclaimed Netflix anthology series Black Mirror.
A film buff on IMDB rated the movie seven stars out of ten, praising it by saying: “This movie felt like an episode from the Black Mirror series, in full length.”
One viewer praised the film’s imaginative take on a tech-dominated future, saying: “All in all it was a good movie seeing the writers vision on how life would look like if technology becomes the centre of it all.”
Another fan expressed their admiration on Google Reviews: “I thought this was a great dystopian concept film, with lots of underlying social and psychological theories, including: capitalism, rat race employment, women and reproductive rights, technology advances and AI, environmental issues.”
They added: “If you look at this as a surface level film you’re going to be very disappointed, but I found it eerie and concerning from the beginning, which I thought was fascinating.”
However, not everyone was sold on the cinematic experience. A slew of negative reviews acknowledged an enticing concept but critiqued the execution.
One disappointed viewer remarked on Rotten Tomatoes: “The concept is interesting, but that’s about the only interesting part of the movie.”
Another critic shared their thoughts: “Interesting premise poorly delivered. That is not a criticism on the acting but the overall delivery of the film.”
As it stands, The Pod Generation holds a modest 42 percent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, while the audience score sits slightly higher at 55 percent.
The Pod Generation is streaming on Netflix.